Last time we saw our Madison Mavericks Football Team, they were walking off the field at Comalander Stadium after being defeated by the Smithson Valley Rangers in the Region IV Championship Game. This Thursday the run starts all over again. The Madison Mavericks, one of the most successful football programs in San Antonio, have the honor of opening up the 2006 season by playing in the prestigious Texas Football Classic First game. On August 31, 2006 the new Madison Mavericks will take the field and they will have some big shoes to fill. But with a JV squad that had a very successful year last year some young talent should emerge for the Mavs. You can purchase your tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com or you can pick them up at the High School. Your ticket will be good for a reserve seat at the Madison Game and it will also admit you into the other four games through out the weekend for General Admission. Because Madison plays on Thursday this will give the Die-Hard Madison Fans a chance to take a look at some of our upcoming opponents. Saturday district 26-5A rival Smithson Valley will take on The Woodlands at Noon and then at 8pm two of Madison’s 2006 opponents will clash as Reagan battles O’Connor in the finally. The Texas Football Classic is a great way to kick off the season and get your fix of High School Football after an 8 month layoff. See you all Thursday at the Dome.

In any sport knowing your opponent and what their strengths and weakness are is key. This year the Booster club has gone over the schedules of all of the Madison regular season opponents and will hold several SCOUT Trips throughout the season. These will be a great time for Madison fans to where their Orange and White and Blue and watch the Mavs future opponents battle on the gridiron. Each week the James Madison Sports Blog will announce up coming Scout Trips and they are also posted on the All Sports calendar. The Scout trips will be used to formulate the Scouting reports such as the Seguin Scouting Report Found Here.

The Madison Maverick Booster Club got word this week that News 4 WOAI has slotted Madison High School for the October 6th Kiolbassa Tailgate Party. Make your plans to come out and join the fun as the Madison gets some great exposure. More details to come.

Madison kicked off its season with a pair of tough losses this past Friday and Saturday at Blossom Athletic Center. Despite the team losses they had some great individual efforts. Mallory Finley, the team’s only freshman won her first varsity match in straight sets at the #6 spot against Steele High School. Mat Parmer and Lindsey McCoy both won their singles matches at the # 5 spots. Against Warren High School, Cristina Funes won her #4 singles match and Ariana Segovia and Vickie Phan, both seniors, won their #1 doubles match.

With their District Record standing at 2-0 the Mavs entered this past weekend Froline Volleyball Tournament in New Braunfels with some added confidence. The 36 team 2-Day Tournament attracts some of the best squads from Austin, San Antonio and through out the State. Madison did not have an easy draw but played tough against some formidable opponents. On day one Madison dropped their first match to a very impressive Hays High School squad. Madison did take the Rebels to 3 sets in the best of 3 format. The Mavs would rebound in their second round match up as they beat up on Harker Heights taking 2 sets to advance on the consolation bracket side. The 3rd round Madison would have to play two matches as they were defeated by host New Braunfels Canyon High School. The fourth match of the day tested the Varsity stamina but the Mavs just did not have enough in the tank to get by Judson. Going 1-3 in the Tourney was hard to swallow but Madison again held it’s own verses some of the areas best squads as our Lady Mavs continue to improve.

Looking ahead to this Tuesday the Lady Mavs will have a big showdown at Littleton as they will take on the Smithson Valley Rangers at 5:30pm. Smithson Valley is tied with Madison atop the district 26-5A with a 2-0 record. The Rangers have beaten Roosevelt and MacArthur and were one of the top teams in the Region last year. Tuesday’s contest will be the only district match next week as the Mavericks travel to Seguin for their last Tournament of the season on Friday and Saturday.